After the starters for each team were announced during pregame introductions last weekend, it was abundantly clear that the ovation for Stephen Curry was louder and more sustained than for any other player.

That wouldn't have been a big deal, except for the fact that Curry and the Warriors were playing in New Orleans - about 1,900 miles from their home arena.

Curry officially has become a big deal throughout the league, and with the fan voting for the All-Star Game having closed Monday, he could make another statement about his arrival at superstar status when starters are announced Thursday.

The Warriors' point guard passed the Clippers' Chris Paul for the second-most votes among Western Conference guards in the latest results released by the league, putting Curry in position to be Golden State's first All-Star starter since Latrell Sprewell in 1995.

"Whew, it's kind of crazy that that's a question being asked right now. It's humbling," Curry said. "We'll see how it plays out, but you've got to thank the fans and everybody who takes the time out to go vote. I'm not the one sitting behind a computer and typing in my name over and over. They're the ones who are supporting me, and it's a very surreal situation."

Curry did not get selected for the 2013 All-Star Game, when Warriors power forward David Lee was chosen by coaches as an All-Star reserve, becoming the franchise's first selection since 1997.

After the All-Star Game, Curry put up 54 points on the Knicks in Madison Square Garden, 47 against the Lakers in Los Angeles, and had a stretch of captivating third-quarter outbursts in playoff series against Denver and San Antonio.

He has continued his ascent this season. The blue and gold jerseys have long been prominent at Oracle Arena, but No. 30 jerseys (his number with both the Warriors and at Davidson College) seem to be finding their way to more and more away games. During the Warriors' recent seven-game road trip, fans in Washington and Milwaukee cheered Curry and the Warriors as much or more than they did the home team.

"It's definitely a blessing to have fans and people who notice what we're trying to do here with changing the culture and winning consistently," Curry said. "I know it's not just me that did it - that was able to turn things around - so it's a credit to coach (Mark) Jackson and a credit to every single one of my teammates. If you don't win as a group, nobody is going to get any love. That's what it's all about."

If the fans don't vote enough for Curry to be a starter - Kobe Bryant was first in the last poll, followed by Curry, Paul and Houston's Jeremy Lin and James Harden - then it will be up to the coaches to select him.

Each coach may select two guards, three frontcourt players and two players at any position, and coaches throughout the league have raved about Curry all season.

Indiana head coach Frank Vogel said: "He's clearly in the conversation for being the best point guard in the game."

Clippers head coach Doc Rivers said: "He's as dangerous as any guy in the league, offensively."

Houston head coach Kevin McHale said: "If you're not motivated to play against Steph Curry, he'll light you up."

Toronto head coach Dwane Casey said: "There's not one man, one guy in this league who is going to stop him."

Oklahoma City head coach Scott Brooks couldn't limit his praise to a single sentence. "Curry makes shots that you think are impossible. He somehow manages to slither through the defense, throws up runners with either hand and shoots three-pointers when you don't think he can even see the basket from that far away."